The Oscar winning film Argo has caused controversy in New Zealand after the
film portrayed an unflattering version of the country's involvement in the
Iranian hostage crisis.

The film, which is based on the Tehran hostage crisis of 1979, has caused outrage among many New Zealanders.

In the film, one character, Jack O'Donnell, claims, whilst referring to six Americans who escaped the embassy when it was taken under siege: "The Brits turned them away. The Kiwis turned them away. Canadians took them in".

According to public documents, the New Zealand Ambassador to Iran at the time, Chris Beeby, along with his colleagues, gave the men shelter and food, when they first escaped, but had deemed it too high risk to guard the Americans for long. The men took shelter in the Canadian Embassy until they were rescued.

The film was criticised by many viewers in New Zealand when it was first released in October last year. Earlier this month however, John Key, the prime minister,suggested the nation "move on" from the incident.

Mr Key said the misrepresentation was "disappointing" but called for allowances to be made as Argo was a "fictionalised movie; not a documentary" and therefore events were distorted.

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On Tuesday, Winston Peters, leader of opposition party New Zealand First, raised the issue in the House of Representatives.

Mr Peters asked Mr Key if he stood by his statement and whether "his close ties with Hollywood outweigh his responsibilities to uphold New Zealand's international reputation?" The Prime Minister dismissed this allegation.

Mr Key undertook a tour of Hollywood studios, meeting producers and executives, in October 2012 in a bid to bring more film making to the country. He has come under criticism in the past over his close friendship with 'The Hobbit' director Peter Jackson after the Mr Key pledged $99 million (£54 million) to aid production of the film.

Despite its critical success, Argo has offended a number of countries with its portrayal of events. Canada was reportedly disappointed by the focus on the CIA involvement in the crisis, which seemed to take away from the efforts of the Canadians.